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Mac OS X 10.6.5 AirPort/WiFi: Connection Drops Repeatedly; Fix

Some users have reported an issue in which AirPort/WiFi connections repeatedly drop after the update to Mac OS X 10.6.5, or cannot connect to previously functional AirPort base stations and other wireless routers. In most cases, users can temporarily resolve the issue by turning AirPort off then back on.

Fixes

Change 802.11 spec on router. Try changing your router’s wireless spec mode from B, G and N to G only or vice versa. For AirPort routers, this can be accomplished with the AirPort Admin Utility. For other routers, this can usually be accomplished by accessing the router’s configuration page — open a browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1.

Reset SMC. Some users have reported that resetting the Mac’s SMC (system management controller) at least temporarily resolves this issue.

Reset router settings. Try resetting your wireless router’s settings. For AirPort base stations, this can be accomplished using the AirPort Utility. For third-party routers, this can generally be accomplished by either holding down a button on the back of the unit (see your unit’s manual for details) or logging into your router’s configuration page by opening a browser window and entering the address 192.168.1.1 (you may need to enter the username: admin and password: password1) then using the reset function.

Change or turn off wireless security You may want to try toggling the settings on your wireless router, switching from WPA to WEP or vice versa, or, as a last resort, turning wireless security off altogether. For AirPort routers, this can be accomplished with the AirPort Admin Utility. For other routers, this can usually be accomplished by accessing the router’s configuration page — open a browser and enter the address 192.168.1.1.

I had problems with 10.6.6 and after trying everything else finally reestablished normal life after I deleted all my keychain items except necessary certificates and keys and logged Into the airport afresh.

iMac 24″ has exactly the same problem. Before I found this forum, I have called applecare to do all the software reset (smc, router, clean install OS, IPv6 off, security option, etc.) and even replaced iMac’s airport card. The problem is still exist. I have tried to have a test on an external hard disk from installing 10.6 to 10.6.6. Up to 10.6.4, the connection is fine. Problem exist when I update to 10.6.5, 10.6.6 cannot fix it too. Now I reinstall 10.6.4 to external hard disk and it works like fly. Internal hard disk is still 10.6.6. Same as Peter, I won’t backup Time Machine until this problem fix.

So glad I am not going crazy- not alone in this.My Mac Book keeps dropping the wifi- “changing ” the wep key. Very strange! Very frustrating! Have tried most of these things. Will consider going back to 10.6 I guess. What a pain!

Hi, I have a new imac running on 10.6.5 and had constant drop out problems and googled the problem and found that this worked: In system prefs/network I created a new Location. Click on ‘Advanced’ then TCP/IP Configure “manually” instead of AUTO. Then I put in IPv4 address, subnet mask, and Router. Configure IPv6 was left as “Auto” I found these figures by looking at my other computers system prefs, not sure how you would find out otherwise. Anyway, it’s been 100% successful and has even sorted out the problems I was having with “Mail” program. Hope this helps someone.

This was a great help article. I’ve looked through the apple discussion forums with a lot of other people having the same airport/router problems I was having but no solutions. This page did exactly what a help article should do, thanks.

Updated my iMac 27″ Quadcore november 25, 2010 to 10.6.5. Airport WIFI drops and a grey shade rolls down the screen with a splash box telling me to hold the power button until the iMac shuts down and then I have to reboot. Happens every 5-10 minutes or every time I use mail or browser after a few minutes online. Talked to the Danish Apple support and they sent me a link from 2008 that should solve the problem – I don’t think so! They also suggested that I downgraded to an earlier OS X update, but I would rather have an upgrade that fic the problem rather than destroying my Mac deleting files using 3rd party software for downgrade as recommended by the supporter. Is there anyone who knows if Apple is going to fix this Airport bug in 10.6.5?????? Klaus 😉 Denmark

I am owner of a Macbook 1st Gen and some PC’s, iPads, iPhones etc. I installed a WDS-Wifi-Network with Airport extreme and Airport express. After updating my Macbook to 10.6.5 (complete combo update) the connection to the Airports dropped after 2 minutes to zero. After renewing the DHCP-Lease and/or deactivating/activating the Airport the connection resumed for 2 Minutes and then quit again. All other equipment still worked perfectly with my wifi! I reinstalled all the wifi-crap and still the same issue. I decided to downgrade my Macbook to 10.6.4 and everything works perfectly again. I am wondering why Apple is not able to fix this problem.

I have just had success by going to safari download site and downloading the latest version – all my bookmarks & history & settings were not wiped out – previously I tried just about everything – router, reinstall OS from combo, safe start etc. but this seemed to work – I hope it works for you..

Exactly the same problem here!!! Wifi drops out every 20 minutes or so then after a couple of minutes comes back on. I cant believe apple didn’t realise this before releasing the update!! I started using macs 4 years ago now after getting sick to death of problems with windows and now im starting to feel the same pains i did back then. SORT it out Jobs it doesn’t take a genius to work out the update is broken and that it should never have been released. All the money ur making and bragging about in the regular keynotes im sure you can afford to employ someone to test updates before they get sent out. if this kind of stuff carries on then my hard earned cash is gonna start going else where and if enough people do the same apple will fall just as quick as they have grown over the last few years!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a late 2009 MacMini and after upgrading to 10.6.5 had exactly the same problems as described above – airport either doesn’t connect at all or it’s dog slow. On another thread somebody suggested using YASU to clean up so I duly tried to download the massive 3MB file. I was getting speeds of 0.9kB/s. I mean, seriously. Hasn’t seemed to help at all.

SpeedTest results from my iphone showed about 5Mbps and on my PC which has a wired connection to my router about 10Mbps. Like others, I can’t Time Machine to before the update… not because I don’t have a backup from last week that I’d gladly take even with a loss of some data due to the speed issues but because unfortunately my Iomega 1TB drive also now fails to mount!

MacMini constantly having issues since the upgrade. Like Peter I really wish I’d done a time machine backup before the upgrade – will certainly be doing so in future. Fingers crossed for a fix from Apple soon…

I’ve cured it permanently. Went out and bought an Asus n10 micro usb dongle,works flawlessly. Can’t stand being ignored by job’s boy’s any longer. Talk about form over function, it’s time they cured this problem which has plagued mine and many other macbook pro’s,and others,since updating to 10.6.3 I for one will be spitting the bad Apple out and returning to you know where very soon.

I’m having the same issue now after the update (current 2.66 GHz i7 MBP). 10.6.4 was working fine. My old Core 2 Duo MBP running 10.6.4 has it, too. My iPhone 3GS had it, but it’s been fixed. My iPad had it, but it’s been fixed. Now I fear that the iOS 4.2 update will result in dropped connections again. I’m using a Buffalo wireless router, PCs, Nintendo DSs and PSPs and other devices never had a problem.